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updateUpdated 2026-10-13

Texas License Plate Lookup

Q: How do I run a Texas license plate lookup?

Enter any Texas plate in the search above, press Check Plate, and get vehicle make, model, year, specs, open recalls, and safety data instantly from NHTSA. It's free and doesn't require a signup.

Q: Do I need a front plate in Texas?

Yes. Texas Transportation Code §504.943 requires a plate on both the front and rear of a passenger vehicle. Removing the front plate can result in a citation of up to $200.

Q: How much is a replacement plate in Texas?

The replacement fee is $6.50, paid at your county tax-assessor-collector's office with Form VTR-60. A police report is required if the plate was stolen.

Q: What does the current Texas license plate format look like?

The current general-issue format is three letters, a dash, and four digits (for example ABC-1234), introduced in 2012 with the Texas Classic design.

Q: Are Texas license plate records public?

No. Personal information tied to a Texas plate is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act. Only vehicle-level data is returned by free lookups.

Q: How do I get a personalized Texas plate?

Texas vanity plates are sold through My Plates (mytxplates.com) starting around $150/year. You can choose custom characters and one of dozens of background designs.

Q: How often do I have to renew my Texas registration?

Annually, by the last day of the month shown on your sticker. You will receive a renewal notice about 60 days before expiration.

Q: Is there still a safety inspection requirement in Texas?

Beginning January 1, 2025, the annual safety inspection is eliminated for non-commercial vehicles and replaced by a $7.50 inspection program replacement fee collected at registration. Emissions inspection is still required in 17 counties.

Run a free Texas license plate lookup above. Decode any TX plate for make, model, year, trim, open recalls, and crash safety ratings — sourced directly from NHTSA. No account, no credit card.

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TEXASABC-1234

24.4M

Registered Vehicles

Texas (FHWA)

Since 1917

Texas Department of Motor Vehicles

ABC-1234

Texas (TX) License Plate Lookup: Quick Facts

Agency	Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
Issuance year	1917
Current format	ABC-1234 — Seven characters in the current general-issue series: three letters, dash, four digits. Older plates in the 123-ABCD format also remain in circulation.
Plates required	Two (front and rear)
Replacement fee	$6.50
Registration validity	1 year
Registered vehicles	24.4M (approx.)
DMV contact	1-888-368-4689 · www.txdmv.gov

How do I look up a Texas license plate?

A license plate lookup texas (or TX license plate lookup) takes under 10 seconds. No account, no credit card, no upsells for the standard vehicle report.

1
Enter the Texas license plate number in the search field above. Spaces and dashes are optional.
2
Confirm TX is selected in the state dropdown — plate numbers can repeat across states, so the state is required for accurate matching.
3
Press Search Plate. You'll see make, model, year, trim, engine, open recalls, and NHTSA crash safety ratings in seconds.

Run a TX plate lookuparrow_forward

What does a Texas license plate lookup reveal?

License Plate Lookup Texas (free) returns vehicle-level data only. Personal driver and owner information is protected under the federal DPPA and is not accessible through this site or any other free lookup.

shield_person

DPPA notice — vehicle data only

This Texas license plate lookup returns vehicle information only — make, model, year, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database. We do not return the registered owner's name, address, phone number, email, driving record, or any other personal information about the driver. Personal driver and owner information is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994 (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not lawfully accessible through any free public lookup.

Free — available here

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check_circleBody style, doors, curb weight
check_circleEngine size, cylinders, fuel type
check_circleTransmission and drivetrain
check_circleOpen NHTSA safety recalls
check_circleNHTSA crash test ratings
check_circleEPA fuel economy (MPG)
check_circleManufacturing plant & country

Paid — via NMVTIS partners

boltTitle brand history (salvage, flood, rebuilt)
boltReported accident history
boltOdometer rollback detection
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boltLien and loan history
boltAuction & insurance records
boltState of registration history
boltTheft / total-loss records

Registered owner name, address, contact details, and driving records are protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and are not returned by this site or any other free public lookup. This tool provides vehicle-level data only — make, model, year, recalls, safety ratings, and EPA fuel economy — sourced from NHTSA and EPA public databases.

What does a Texas license plate format look like?

Seven characters in the current general-issue series: three letters, dash, four digits. Older plates in the 123-ABCD format also remain in circulation.

TEXASABC-1234

Texas license plate format history

Era	Format	Example
1917–1974	Numeric / county-coded	A-12345
1975–1984	3 letters + 3 digits	ABC 123
1985–1994	3 digits + 3 letters	123 ABC
1995–2008	3 letters + 3 digits (variations)	ABC-D12
2009–2011	3 letters + 4 digits (flag graphic)	AB1-C234
2012–present	3 letters + 4 digits (general issue)	ABC-1234

Texas license plate laws you should know

Below are the four laws that most often trip up Texas drivers. Rules are enforced at the stop, the inspection station, and at registration renewal.

Two plates required

Texas Transportation Code §504.943 requires passenger vehicles to display a plate on both the front and rear. Motorcycles and trailers display only a rear plate.

Front plate rule

No general exemption; removing the front plate is a misdemeanor carrying a fine up to $200.

Registration stickers & display

As of 2015, Texas uses a single windshield sticker that combines registration and inspection. Beginning January 1, 2025, non-commercial vehicle inspection is eliminated and replaced by a $7.50 program fee.

Inspection / smog check

Vehicle emissions inspection is required in 17 counties (including Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Travis, and Collin) for most 2–24 year-old gasoline vehicles.

Types of Texas license plates

Texas issues dozens of plate designs. These are the main categories you'll encounter on the road or see at the DMV counter.

General-issue passenger

ABC-1234 format, Texas Classic design by default.

My Plates personalized

Vanity plates sold through mytxplates.com with hundreds of backgrounds and term lengths.

Disabled Person

ISA wheelchair symbol; grants access to accessible parking statewide.

Disabled Veteran (DV)

Free for qualifying disabled veterans; waives registration fee on one vehicle.

Military & specialty

Purple Heart, Pearl Harbor, Gold Star Family, branch plates, and hundreds of college/cause plates.

Classic & antique

For vehicles 25+ years old used for exhibitions and club events.

How much does a Texas license plate cost?

Typical Texas DMV fees for plates, registration, and related services. Always confirm current amounts on the official DMV site before paying.

Annual registration (passenger < 6,000 lb)	$50.75 + local fees
Replacement plate	$6.50
Personalized plate (MyPlates standard)	From $150/year
Title application	$28 or $33 (county dependent)
Transfer of ownership	$2.50
Inspection (safety)	$7.50 (phased out Jan 2025 for non-commercial)

Source: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles — https://www.txdmv.gov

What if my Texas plate is lost, stolen, or damaged?

Follow these steps to replace a Texas license plate. Do not keep driving with a missing plate — it is a citable offense in most states.

1
File a police report if the plates were stolen.
2
Complete Form VTR-60 (Application for Replacement License Plates, Symbols, Tabs, and Other Identification).
3
Submit the form to your county tax-assessor-collector's office with the $6.50 replacement fee.
4
If only one plate was lost, surrender the remaining plate so a matching pair can be issued.
5
Display the temporary receipt until the replacement plates arrive by mail.

Texas DMV contact & privacy

Official agency

Texas Department of Motor Vehicles

call1-888-368-4689

languagewww.txdmv.gov

DPPA privacy notice

Personal information tied to a Texas license plate — driver name, address, date of birth, phone number, email, and driving record — is protected by the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not returned by this site. This page and the lookup tool provide vehicle-level data only: make, model, year, trim, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about Texas license plate lookups, DMV rules, and plate replacement.

How do I run a Texas license plate lookup?expand_more

Enter any Texas plate in the search above, press Check Plate, and get vehicle make, model, year, specs, open recalls, and safety data instantly from NHTSA. It's free and doesn't require a signup.

Do I need a front plate in Texas?expand_more

Yes. Texas Transportation Code §504.943 requires a plate on both the front and rear of a passenger vehicle. Removing the front plate can result in a citation of up to $200.

How much is a replacement plate in Texas?expand_more

The replacement fee is $6.50, paid at your county tax-assessor-collector's office with Form VTR-60. A police report is required if the plate was stolen.

What does the current Texas license plate format look like?expand_more

The current general-issue format is three letters, a dash, and four digits (for example ABC-1234), introduced in 2012 with the Texas Classic design.

Are Texas license plate records public?expand_more

No. Personal information tied to a Texas plate is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act. Only vehicle-level data is returned by free lookups.

How do I get a personalized Texas plate?expand_more

Texas vanity plates are sold through My Plates (mytxplates.com) starting around $150/year. You can choose custom characters and one of dozens of background designs.

How often do I have to renew my Texas registration?expand_more

Annually, by the last day of the month shown on your sticker. You will receive a renewal notice about 60 days before expiration.

Is there still a safety inspection requirement in Texas?expand_more

Beginning January 1, 2025, the annual safety inspection is eliminated for non-commercial vehicles and replaced by a $7.50 inspection program replacement fee collected at registration. Emissions inspection is still required in 17 counties.

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